Magellan lands in Japan instead of the Philippines

No. For starters, he would have had to be going waaaaay off course because he was headed for the spice islands in Eastern Indonesia. Besides, the Portuguese had already reached Japan. The Spanish wouldn't have need to try invading them anyways, unless they were convinced it was in the slice of the world set aside for the Spanish, meaning they could use it to trade with China. Still, it would be far too difficult to bring over enough men to conquer anything, let alone keep it.
 
No. For starters, he would have had to be going waaaaay off course because he was headed for the spice islands in Eastern Indonesia. Besides, the Portuguese had already reached Japan. The Spanish wouldn't have need to try invading them anyways, unless they were convinced it was in the slice of the world set aside for the Spanish, meaning they could use it to trade with China. Still, it would be far too difficult to bring over enough men to conquer anything, let alone keep it.
Actually, Hokkaido is near the line of Tordesillas and the the Kurils are located East of the Pacific line of Tordesillas which is for the Spanish.

I think a Spanish Alaska is more plausible in this scenario..
 
In the 1500s the tech level was somewhat equal and Japan had the home field advantage and Spain had to cross the planet.The Samurai for the win.
A failed Spanish invasion could result in Japan not closing itself off and becoming a Pacific power earlier.
 
In the 1500s the tech level was somewhat equal and Japan had the home field advantage and Spain had to cross the planet.The Samurai for the win.
A failed Spanish invasion could result in Japan not closing itself off and becoming a Pacific power earlier.
I don't think the Spanish would conquer Japan itself but uninhabited islands near it like Hokkaido, Kurils or weak ones like Okinawa or Taiwan I think they would end up expelled in the long term..
 
If the treaty of Zaragosa was not butterflied if Magellan did not land in the Philippines, the Philippines would be under Portuguese influence instead.
The treaty happened after the whole Magellan thing, I was mostly just posting it to show the decisions and such that went into the lines. They were free to be changes after all, such as how the Brazilians kept expanding Brazil, as well as how they didn't mind the Spaniards in the Phillipines since they didn't have spices.

I don't think the Spanish would conquer Japan itself but uninhabited islands near it like Hokkaido, Kurils or weak ones like Okinawa or Taiwan I think they would end up expelled in the long term..

Taiwain is the best bet. Okinawa and the nearby areas were officially under Chinese protection and they really didn't have any resources that would be useful for outfitting ships. If they chose that area they would also probably want Hawaii but... Yah, depends if the Spanish get a port in California that sees a lot of exports. Unlikely to be a factor here. As for Taiwain, was it officially Chinese at that point, even if not settled or administered by them? It seems to be in a decent position for trading from, but would the winds blowing across the Pacific send Spanish ships there?
 
Taiwain is the best bet. Okinawa and the nearby areas were officially under Chinese protection and they really didn't have any resources that would be useful for outfitting ships. If they chose that area they would also probably want Hawaii but... Yah, depends if the Spanish get a port in California that sees a lot of exports. Unlikely to be a factor here. As for Taiwain, was it officially Chinese at that point, even if not settled or administered by them? It seems to be in a decent position for trading from, but would the winds blowing across the Pacific send Spanish ships there?

I think Taiwan is better for the Spanish than Luzon, the Spanish conquered the Kingdoms in Luzon sneakingly so Taiwan will be an easier target, not much different from Visayas..
 
Hokkaido's too cold. If the Spaniards want something in Japan badly enough, they might try fighting/diplomacy in Kyushu to establish trading ports/religious missions there a la Goa instead, but nothing on the scale of what they established here in the Philippines. Taiwan is a more likely place for larger trading colonies.

If they convert some daimyos, it would be even more interesting.
 
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